Song of the chapter: EELS ~ I NEED SOME SLEEP
I need you
I need some sleep it can't go on like this
I tried counting sheep but there's one I always miss
Everyone says I'm getting down too low
Everyone says you just gotta let it go
You just gotta let it go
I need you, I need you
You just gotta let it go

<<February>>

>>So? How is he..?<<

Jungkook demands, preparing his rather small luggage. Seokjin leans against the door, arms crossed, wearing a dramatic expression

>>Jungkook-

>>I know, I know. You're about to tell me to stay longer. But as I told you one hundred times already, I can't, if I spend too much time here he'll find me<<

The elder sighs, shaking his head, giving up, Jungkook has just the Eroses's stubbornness within himself.

>>Well then.. the last letter I received from Joon is as per usual. You know he doesn't get as much informations as we would want, unluckily Giselle and Yoongi make sure nothing too private leaks. As far as we know Jimin had a few relapses but he's getting better, nothing more<<

The once Fire Master hums, not really contented with the reply. He has been at the palace, he knows that most informations are filtered not to reach the outsides of the castle's walls. What if what he knows is not true..? What if Jimin is not alright?

Anyway those are the only news he can hold onto and so he'll do. He finishes packing, then grabs the sack that contains his clothes and stuff, wears his cloak and hood, hiding his face

>>I'm ready<<

Seokjin nods, stepping in and walking to the window, opening it

>>You sure you don't want me to bring you? You might be able to exploit your element to fly, but I'm way quicker, you know? There's nothing quicker than a Storge<<

>>And other than being quicker you're very recognizable. I'll pass, but thanks<<

Said that the Eros positions himself on the windowsill, nodding to the Storge to bid his goodbyes

>>Well then, thanks for the hospitality Seokjin, I'm really grateful. I hope I'll see you again. Say bye and thanks to Namjoon too<<

Seokjin nods, but then opens his mouth last minute

>>Jungkook!<<

The Eros looks back at the other curiously

>>As much as this goes against my will to protect Stoicheion, you could-..you could still change idea. His Majesty must be missing you, don't be always so selfless. Think about yourself first sometimes..<<

Jungkook shakes his head

>>That's not an option, I love Jimin way too much for me to let my presence ruin his life<<

Said that, the youngest jumps off from the fourth floor of the Kim's mansion.

Meanwhile, a little further in the region, at the royal estate, Jimin is sitting on the throne, receiving the people who asked to talk with their King. He's trying. He's really trying to concentrate on his job as a sovereign, especially because outside of that there's nothing left but his daughter, for whom he has plenty of free time now that his lover is gone.

His guards are still searching for Jungkook under Jimin's order, but after a month he's still out of sight, and honestly the Aether couldn't be feeling any worse than this, it's like being constantly under water, in a bubble, where he cannot hear and breathe properly.

The King is not looking too good, he seems paler than he should, and his eyes are so heavy..so....so heavy.
He jolts up, noticing that he almost fell asleep.
He's just so tired.

Jimin couldn't sleep in the past few days..or weeks as far as he can remember. Nightmares have been bugging him, and apparently he pays dreamy-visits to the water-well every night now. Not just once or twice a week, but every single day.

Since the day of Angelica's birth, Jimin's sleep problems had completely disappeared, wiped away, and now they're back, stronger and worse than before because all of it depends from his state of mind and emotions. If he's happy and calm he doesn't experience those dreams, while if his life is rolling to shit then he can't sleep well.

His head swings forward as if he's falling asleep again, but then he straightens back, rubbing his eyes so tiredly it's almost pitiful. The guards exchange worried looks, and finally one of them finds the courage to lean downwards

>>Your Grace, is everything alright?<<

The boy tilts his head slightly, looking at the other confused

>>..What?<<

>>Is His Majesty feeling alright?<<

The King looks at the other still dazed

>>Hum..I'm sorry, could you..repeat yourself?<<

The knight goes to do so, but Jimin shakes his head

>>..Nevermind, I think I'm going to take a few minutes of break<<

He utters, slowly getting up. Maybe he just did it too quickly, maybe his body is too weak, maybe too overworked, perhaps it's just his heart hurting at all his losses, but Jimin stumbles forward, losing balance and dropping on the floor unconscious.

Two guards promptly help the King in a seated position, checking if he got any injuries, as the council around looks concerned at the young boy

>>Heck I think he slammed his head on the step there<<

One of them mumbles seeing the already forming red spot on the other's temple. Anyway they lift the boy and drag him away quickly, sending someone else to call the curator.
The King fainted out of exhaustion or something else. Something else that for who really understands the human's so wide world of emotions can be traduced as heart break too. He's so sad, so so sad.

The bump on his head will eventually fade and go away, but what about his heart? What about that missing piece that an Eros stole and brought away?

When Jimin wakes up he's alone in his room, his head hurts, his body aches. He's too tired both physically and mentally.
If everything could just stop..

But not now. It should've all stopped on his twentieth birthday, when he was happy. That's when it all should've halted for Jimin.

The King sighs, slowly turning around, groaning in pain

''When will all this ache go away..?''

He huffs once more, cheek smudged on the soft pillow

''I'm so sleepy''

The boy's confused eyes wander around on the ceiling, dropping then on the door, leisurely looking at the decorations, boredly. There's nothing exciting in his life anymore, nothing that makes him want to get up in the morning. He's an empty shell.

The young Agàpe rolls more onto his side, until he's on the part of the bed in which Jungkook use to sleep when they were together. He stretches one hand out towards the bedside table, opens a drawer and pulls out the cologne Jungkook left behind, lightly spraying it on the pillow before drowning his face on it. That's the only way he manages to still feel something different than the will to cry.

The boy engulfs the cushion between his arms, tightly hugging it to his chest. Then suddenly he feels so pathetic, hugging a pillow to replace a body..how low can he still get?

Jimin hiccups, pulling the bedsheets over his own head, hiding away under them, away from everything. Away from being whatever he is. Away from being a King. Away from being an husband and father. Away from being the Aether. Away from being the one who's heart Jungkook broke. Away from being Jimin.

He just shouldn't exist, that's how things are.

Actually no, scratch that.
Jimin doesn't want to exist, he's too done for that.

There's a knock on the door, but Jimin decides not to reply, quietly whimpering to himself. The door cracks open

>>Your Grace?<<

Yoongi's calm voice is almost soothing for Jimin's wounded soul, so he lets out an acknowledging hum

>>Can I enter?<<

>>Y-yeah..<<

He whispers, very slowly sitting up, brushing away his own solidified tears towards the floor, sniffling

>>I talked with the curator..how are you feeling? Does your head hurt?<<

The elder demands, walking in towards the bed. Jimin shakes his head, at least the bump doesn't hurt that much

>>Can I take a seat?<<

Yoongi questions, and Jimin nods, so the other takes a seat on the mattress, sighing

>>So? What happened?<<

>>Hum..my head spun and I lost balance, that's all<<

Yoongi gives him a questioning look but doesn't ask anything more

>>No offence but you look like shit right now<<

Yoongi mumbles, making Jimin chuckle, trying to fix his own hair

>>Well..thanks<<

Seeing that the King is making a mess worse than it already was, Yoongi leans forward

>>Leave it, I'll help you<<

Jimin closes his eyes as he lets the other fix his white locks into place, for once distracted a little from the horrible place that his mind has come to be in the last period. It's a scary place to be left alone to think.

>>Yoongi?<<

>>Yes, Your Majesty?<<

The King flutters his lashes upwards, opening his eyes. He doesn't say anything at the end, so Yoongi indulges him

>>So?<<

>>..Nothing<<

Yoongi's hand drops from the other's head, down, toward's Jimin's jaw and neck, brushing past his shoulders, hugging the boy. Jimin's daze only seems to fuel the strange atmosphere, but then the King gets quickly back to himself as he senses Yoongi's extremely cold palm caressing his back, gasping and retrieving a little back from the other's fingertips, looking pretty shocked, as if he hadn't witnessed it all with his very eyes just a second prior.

The younger's eyes ping pong between the bedsheets and Yoongi's straight expression, waiting for him to say something. The elder covers up his affectionate gesture by giving the King's chin a little bump with his knuckles, playful

>>Rest, it's the best cure for anything. And don't overthink, jest sleep. I'll bring you herbs or something of the kind<<

Is the last thing the elder mumbles before getting back up. Jimin won't meet his eyes now, ashamed of himself. Nothing happened of course, an hug is nothing, but only the idea that someone could take Jungkook's place makes him sick in the stomach. No one should be able to touch him but Jungkook, not even for a caress.

It's not like the King wants to find peace between someone else's arms. Not at all.

The Ice Master stands there a second or two awkwardly

>>I'll go then..<<

He mutters walking to the bedroom door. Jimin takes a deep breath in, then starts talking

>>Go back to Kafto<<

He orders, still not eyeing the other. Yoongi tilts his head towards the other

>>What?<<

>>You heard me, go back home<<

Jimin repeats. It's probably a wrong choice since Yoongi is Jimin's curator but still, the King has this genuine desire to not let his own loneliness bring him to let himself go with someone else, still too tied to his feelings for Jungkook. They had a bond, they promised, tied their arms together in red ribbon, how could Jungkook break it like that..?

Jimin's scared, 'cause he liked being hugged like that. He just misses 'human contact' at some level now that the one he loves left him, but at the same time he doesn't want to be touched.

>>But Your Majes-

>>I said go back to Kafto<<

He orders for the third time. He will push away whoever has even a slight possibility of taking Jungkook's rightful place, 'cause he's the only one and always will be.
Even after what he did.

And still, deep down, Jimin knows that even if Jungkook had to come back, he'd never forgive him. But will and desire to love are different things, his heart is far too gone, but he knows he shall never forget that Jungkook did indeed loved him and then left him.

And that's not something a lover would do.

Not something Jimin can look away from, as much as he's still deeply in love, he won't look away from what Jungkook has done to their love.

The King bites his bottom lip, feeling it tremble but can't help the very first sob erupting out loud. Yoongi's hands fist by his sides. It's such a pity seeing Jimin cry, even the heartless Min Yoongi cannot feel at ease hearing the other's heart-broken dishevelment.

He walks back to Jimin as this one shakes his head, arms stretched out to keep the other back

>>N-no, stay away-

>>Jimin, he doesn't deserve your cries. He never deserved you in the first place, he-

>>That's n-not-

He hiccups once more, pressing his own hands under his eyes to refrain the bids of ice from rolling everywhere

>>That's not t-true<<

>>You loved him so much and he left you. You gave him everything and put yourself at risk for him, and what does he do to repay you? He leaves. How do you call this other than betraya-

>>No, no, n-no! Stop it..<<

Jimin replies weakly, head lowering as the others words sink in painfully

>>Jungkook used you, stop searching for him. Call all your guards back Your Highness. Leave him be<<

The young Agàpe shakes his head profusely, mumbling multiple times that he cannot do that, cannot let go.
Yoongi grits his teeth, forcing his arms around Jimin once more, not caring for the smaller's weak complaints

>>He did this to you, be angry at him, halt your research for answers to justify his leave<<

Slowly, after a while, Jimin stops fighting back and just lets himself be hugged. This doesn't feel like home, like the warm embraces of Jungkook's, but it's caring, even if cold.
Yoongi's arms move from the other' back, detaching their bodies and cupping the other's face

>>You're strong, and you don't need him<<

The Aether shakes his head once, slowly

>>I do. I just really n-need Jungkook here. I feel like going crazy and..<<

He lets three tears fall down between the folds on his clothes before continuing

>>A-and I miss him. I can't sleep without him, m-my head is filled with my w-worst nightmares, I-..<<

>>It was like this with him too, he didn't make any difference, remember? The nightmares where the same ones<<

>>B-but they stopped for a few months<<

Yoongi's hands are now placed on the younger's tensed shoulders

>>Maybe since Angelica arrived?<<

>>Y-yeah..<<

>>Then why won't you try to sleep with her? I mean, in the same room<<

>>Uh..?<<

The Master shrugs

>>It could help if she puts you at ease<<

The King gives a nod, as far as he knows he tried everything he could to sleep but to no avail. He'll try having Angelica in his room then.

>>Thank you..<<

>>For what? This is my job<<

Yoongi mumbles, this time definitely getting up and then out of the room. As he escapes the royal chambers, he sees Taehyung approaching in a hurry, someone told him about Jimin's fainting episode, so he dashed up immediately, but seeing Yoongi leaving the room makes his heart thump faster.
But he forces himself to look away.

At the door, passing Yoongi, he can't help but notice Jimin's characteristic scent on the other, and his eyes widen, his heart skips a beat, head tilting as he sees the other walking away

>>Hey!<<

He exclaims, hurrying after the other who also turns around. Taehyung leans dangerously close, sniffing his clotes

>>This is not your perfume<<

Taehyung growls lowly, whispering. And don't get him wrong, he's not angry or jealous because of Yoongi, but for Jimin.

>>Min Yoongi lean a single pf your filthy fingers on our King and I'll end you<<

>>Calm down, I didn't do anything<<

>>You better not even think about it, Jimin is precious<<

Yoongi locks eyes with the other

>>And so are you<<

Taehyung shrugs his words off, continuing

>>He loves Jungkook. I don't know what happened for him to leave, but you better keep you distances because they're still bonded, and you can't break through their emotions. Stay away<<

He growls once more before dashing inside the room.

Somewhere else in the palace, in a secluded area of the tea room at the top floor, Giselle and Kim Taiji are sipping from their cups to jasmine tea, quietly chit chatting.

Kim Taiji is part of the council, none other than Kim Seokjin's father and protector of Anemos, head of the most influencing noble family of the region.

The old man places his cup down, his previous giggles turning into a more serious composure as he clears his throat

>>Your Majesty<<

He starts a bit hesitant. Giselle usually scolds him to call her by her name, but seeing his straight face and tone she avoids doing that

>>There's a reason I asked to meet you in private, you see<<

>>Please explain yourself then Taiji<<

Her way of talking to the older is pretty casual and confident since he's a close friend of her father, and they've long known each other. That's why she knew Seokjin already the first time he went to meet Jimin, and that's also why Taiji is in the council and his first son to follow.

>>The council reunited today, but the King couldn't make it, I heard, because he fainted once more. Giselle, dear, we're worried for our sovereign, it's the second time this week<<

She nods, looking away sadly. The Storge goes on

>>And it's not just it. He used to be a smart kid in all his studies, especially economic and politics, but nowdays he doesn't seem to be in his right mind..<<

What he says is undeniably true and clear, there's no way to deny

>>I know, so..? What's your opinion. If you wanted to see me you must have a solution<<

>>As we all agreed that he should take a break from the government, perhaps we could him grant rest and peacefulness in exchange of a momentary substitution<<

Giselle's silence is pretty long as she calculates a few things, what he's suggesting is a drastic measure, thus concerning

>>And who would do that? The Queen Mother is still unavailable given her illness<<

>>But of course you Giselle. Sweetie, you're the Queen, your husband is not doing great, and it's your duty to cover the spot for him. For a bit, until our King gets better..<<

Giselle finishes sipping her tea, leaving the other in suspense for longer. The Queen gets then up, followed by the other as his lower rank requires

>>I'll think about that. But..<<

She dwells in staring at him to make sure he understands her words

>>This doesn't mean he's unable to rule, I want this made clear, Jimin is really nice and good hearted. It's just that he needs some space and time alone, to recover and get over..his departure<<

>>Of course Your Highness<<

The other hums, nodding

>>I'll talk to him if things get worse then<<

She finishes, walking to the other who, very kindly, places a kiss on her forehead

>>You're doing great as a Queen<<

>>I hope so..<<

.

There's an ache in Jungkook's heart, constant, a soft spot turning rock-hard, an empty zone, a missing emotion.

He dreamed about Jimin last night, and when he woke up it felt bittersweet, if he could've he would've kept embracing him just like in his dream, where the Prince's smell was still vivid and soothing, and his eyes bright and clear, his white hair soft at the touch and his skin mesmerizingly pale and cold.

Whatever he's doing he's doing fine, for sure. It has to be like that, otherwise Jungkook's sacrifice would be completely vain and useless.

Right now he's in a wood, because he can't walk around freely through the countless roads, they're guarded, Jimin is still searching for him, sifting through the villages. And the guards did almost get him once, that's why he's going around through the countryside and most isolated places, unless he needs food, that is.
But he's careful. Being still in Kafto, he's recognizable, everyone saw him and he has to hide, and the same goes for Yli.

If he went to Kafto or Pagos instead, he'd be okay, the majority of those people didn't see him anyway, he could be safer.

He heard that a lot of peasants are bringing Eros males around his age and with similar features to the King, claiming that's Jeon Jungkook, in hope to get a reward. But clearly Jimin is not one to be fooled.
Jungkook heard from Seokjin that the first time someone brought a 'Jeon Jungkook' at the palace in Anemos, Jimin burst crying the second he saw it was not his Jungkook, and ran away from the throne room.

He really did hope it was him.
The only idea of Jimin being desperate like that has Jungkook cringing, knowing to be the cause of all that.

But at the same time he couldn't just stand there and watch Jimin hating himself for all the people he killed out of instinct, the primordial need to protect Jungkook.

It killed both of them, one who felt too guilty, one that felt like the cause of all Jimin's problems.

For a period, during his adolescence years, Jungkook went away from home, traveled to Anemos to work in a farm up in a valley between two mountains, in a rural village that  barely anyone knows about. There he lived along with something around a hundred of people, it really was a small one.

And that's where he's going. It's rare that news reach that secluded place of Anemos, so he could work and hide there for a while, he's sure the old mad that own the farm will be happy to have a young and healthy male doing jobs for him.
The oldie has always been an exploiter and stingy piece of shit anyway, he won't mind taking advantage of Jungkook's strength again, just like he did when he was younger.

If he demonstrates he'll be useful to the oldie he'll surely let him stay again.

But heck that man is always disgruntled and has such bad hygiene habits..it's gonna be hella stinky with that troll around.

.

There's a sky clear like water from the mountains, the air smells like fresh bloomed flowers and the young males sitting on the grass are leaning onto each other lovingly, overflowing with joy, holding hands.

The taller one looks at the other with so much love in his eyes and so does the smaller, smiling brightly and holding tighter. Then the older leans in more, until their noses touch, making the younger giggle joyfully

>>My baby<<

The taller mumbles, still smiling idiotically as the other's arms slouch around his neck loosely, foreheads pressed together, lips just a breath away

>>I believe you meant your King, hot stuff<<

>>No, I intended my baby<<

The taller repeats, rubbing his forehead against the other's.

Jimin feels like he's watching another couple, he can see himself in the frame too, beside Jungkook, but from another point of view, a third one.

Somehow is heart is not aching at the moment, even though he's seeing Jungkook after such a long month. After a bit the sky starts darkening with clouds and the air become chilly. Jungkook gets up, pulling his hand away from the Jimin beside him who's in tears, pleading the other to stay.

The elder won't reason, and walks towards the familiar water well that, honestly, Jimin hadn't seen.

Suddenly he finds himself inside his own body, crying while following Jungkook.
The eldest stops in front of the well, turning to the mess that Jimin is right now

>>Please Jungkookie, it's scary, let's get back to the palace-

>>Why? I want to jump in<<

>>It's gonna end so badly, I don't think we should-

>>Oh come on scaredy cat, let's go!<<

Jungkook says playfully, opening his own arms and letting himself go backwards inside the hole, followed by Jimin's terrorized scream

>>NO!<<

The King stretches one hand out to grasp his loved one, but Jungkook's contented face disappears in the darkness ad Jimin leans on the border dangerously forward

>>NO NO NO! JUNGKOOK!!<<

He quickly climbs on the stone-made surface, and he's about to do it, jump it, but suddenly-

Jimin sits up on the mattress at the sound of loud wails, hear beating furiously fast, wild, and the unmistakable voice of baby-cries makes him jolt out of bed, running to his daughter's cradle

>>O-oh baby, I'm sorry!<<

He shout-whispers, taking her out of the bedsheets and hugging her desperately, tears evaporating around his eyes

>>Angie I didn't hear you, I'm so sorry..<<

He says once more, swinging her slowly to try and calm her down, but her tears keep streaming, her face purple at the screams, and Jimin feels so bad, he was so deeply asleep that he couldn't be there for Angelica

The two keep crying together like there's no tomorrow, Jimin's emotions are too wild at the moment and he's too hot for her to be comfortable. 

>>If only Jungkook was here..<<

Jimin cries out, sniffling, still trying to put his daughter at ease

>>Don't cry, don't cry-..p-please don't cry..<<

But her shouts only get louder and louder and to Jimin they become unbearable, and he's too agitated and-

He skips a beat realizing what's happening as he sees the smoke coming from under her back, where his hand is. He gasps, heading to the bed, placing her down onto the soft, silky bedsheets and he kneels on the floor, in pain, he cannot do more than that. It hurts so bad. Everything hurts too bad.
And Jungkook is the one who hurt him the most, his absence hurts more than anything Jimin ever experienced in his whole life.

>>A-angie-..Guards! G-guards!!<<

He calls, crouching down and balling in one corner, away from her. She's an Agàpe, if they touch she'll get burned, but she keeps crying so loud..

It's the matter of seconds and the knights are there to help him, putting Angelica in all safety. That's it, she's safe when she's away from her father, that's how things are. He'd never forget himself if holding her he gave Angelica a scar, and he thinks he already did.

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